Beermann [dismayed].  Will it be read there?

Stroebel.  Certainly.  To-day I can only tell you that we will proceed vigorously.  You can satisfy your society on that point.

Beermann [rising].  But that doesn’t satisfy me at all.  Think of the consequences.

Stroebel [rising also].  What do you care about the consequences.  Your society has its very high aims.  Your propaganda states that you will prosecute the outcast of society with iron energy and now you see your ideals realized.

Beermann.  Our propaganda states that we will intervene from national, moral and social viewpoints, to protect the marriage vows.  If this scandal becomes public the marriage relationship will be undermined.

Stroebel.  What sort of moral viewpoint do you call that?

Beermann.  It is the Society’s.  Don’t you understand that the influential class of society will be involved!

Stroebel.  Then that class will have only itself to blame.

Beermann.  That’s out of the question.  We must find a loop-hole.

Stroebel.  Within the scope of the law there are no loop-holes.

Beermann.  Don’t tell me that.  Well then, go around the law.

Stroebel [surprised].  Herr Beermann!

Beermann.  Of course!  I have lived long enough to know that.

Stroebel.  I shall do my duty.

Beermann.  Am I interfering with your duty?  I belong to that class of people who respect the police only because the police respect our social position.

Stroebel.  I appreciate that.

Beermann.  I also take part in political life.  I am a candidate for the Reichstag and as such I have a decided opinion about these matters.

Stroebel.  Without doubt, Herr Beermann.

Beermann.  Well then, there are, in extreme cases, ways around the law, and there must be.

Stroebel.  I am of a different opinion.

Beermann.  God knows, it is not the business of the police to provoke this enormous scandal.  All authority will be destroyed.  It will shatter the respect of the masses for the people higher up.

Stroebel.  But this scandal was provoked—­[knocking on the diary with his finger]—­by these very people.

Beermann.  If a man once in a while goes into a certain room—­that is no scandal.  It only becomes a scandal when the story is made known to every Tom, Dick and Harry.  That’s what must be prevented!

Stroebel.  I value the humane motive which evidently is prompting you, Herr Beermann.  But you must admit that we are acting entirely in accord with the views of the classes you mention.

Beermann.  You are not!

Stroebel.  Yes, we are.  Two weeks ago the good people here founded a Society because they felt it was necessary to proceed more severely against public immorality ...